System for signals and motor control for electric roads.



R. v. COLLINS. SYSTEM FOR SIGNALS AND MOTOR CONTROL FOR ELECTR ICROADS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 13, 1913.

Patented Apr. 9,1918.

ROY V. COLLINS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

SYSTEM FOR SIGNALS AND MOTOR CONTROL FOR ELECTRIC ROADS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 9, 1918.

Application filed May 13, 1913. Serial No. 767,245.

To all who 11bit may concern:

Be it known that I, ROY VINSON COLLINS, of New York, in the county of New York and in the State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Systems for Signals and Motor Control for Electric Roads and do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof.

My invention relates to acar control and signal system for railroads, and has for its object to provide a simple, inexpensive system constructed of standard'parts easy to maintain and install, and adapted to afiord complete protection to a car, both in front and behind by controlling the power supply, by a'positive stop device inclosed from the weather and without protruding parts, and by a signal system which goes to danger by gravity.

A further object is to provide a system which protects the car under all contingencies of operation, including a partial, intermittent, or complete break, ground, or cross in the .line wires, in case any derangement or trouble occurs due to lightning; and in case the contactor is out of contact, the wheels of the car off the track, or both these contingencies occur.

A further object is to provide a system adapted to all types of trackage, whether single, double, or turn-out; that prevents the taking of curves or cross-overs at a high rate of speed; that may be used with all kinds and types of signal devices; and that is adapted to and afi'ords complete protection with automatic or with despatcher control.

A further object is to provide an emergency control which allows cars to proceed under protection in case of accident to any part of'the system or of any derangement thereof.

It is contemplated that the apparatus will be provided with lightning protectors and other devices adapted to protectand add to its efiiciency.

Other and further objects of my invention will be apparent from the following description, and from the accompanying drawing in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout said drawing.

The figure illustrates diagrammatically four blocks or sections with a car entering block B The embodiment chosen to illustrate my Electrical circuits are controlled in this embodiment by contact bars A, B, C, D, E, and H. Contact bars A, B, and C control the car operating circuit, contact bar D controls the signal light and semaphore circuit, and contact bars E and H control in part circuits for emergency operation. These contact bars may be operated by solenoids or by any desired or equivalent means.

In the embodiment illustrated, contact bar A is actuated positively by magnets 5 and 22, contact bar B by magnet 9 and by gravity, contact bar C by magnet 90 and by gravity, contact bar D by magnet 28 and by gravity, contact bar E by magnet 30 and by gravity, and contact bar H by mannual operation and by gravity. Similarly magnet 22 may be a horseshoe or any other type'of magnet. Switch points are designated by reference characters corresponding to the magnet which operates the contact bar adapted to close said switch points. Thus when magnet 5 actuates contact bar A switch points 525", and 5 are closed; when magnet 22 actuates contact bar A switch points 22 22 and 22 are closed; when magnet 9 actuates contact bar B switch point 9 is closed; when magnet 90 actuates contact bar C switch point 90 is closed; when magnet 28 actuates contact bar D switch point 28 is closed; when magnet 30 holds up contact bar E switchpoint 30 is closed; and when gravity actuates the contact bars B, C, D, or E, switch points 9 90 ,'28 and 30 respectively are closed.

Current is supplied to trolley wire WV for car operation, from feed wire F through switch points 9, which can be closed only when a block behind is dead; and through switch points 90", which can be closed only when a block ahead is dead. Each block normally is dead with contact bar A to the right, contact bars B and C in lower position, and contact bar D in upper position, (blocks 13 and 13 When a car enters a dead block, a circuit first is closed from feed wire F,

wire 1, fuse 14, wires 15, 16, 17, magnet 5, wires 18, 4, trolley wire W, trolley T, and through the car to ground. The resistance in this circuit is such that the current is not suflicient tomove the car, but is sufficient to cause magnet 5, through which it passes, to pull contact bar A to the left, thereby closing switch points 5 5 and 5,and opening switch points 22 22 and 22 (block B The closing of these switch. pointscloses circuits which energize three other magi1cts,-magnet 22 in the block behind (block B and magnets 9 and 90 in the same block (block 13?) These circuits are as follows: The circuit energizing magnet 22in the block behind (block B is closed. (starting from block B through wire 1, fuse1 1, wires 15, 16, 33, switch points 5, wires 32, 29, 20, magnet 22, wire 23,- switch points 30%, and through resistance 2 1 to ground. The energizing of magnet 22 (block 13*) pulls-contact bar A to the right, thereby opening switch points 5 and 5}, which opensthe circuits energizing magnets 9and 90 respectively in said block. Contact bars .B and C thereupon fall by gravity, which opens switch points 9 and 90 in the car operating circuit for that block, and deadens this block which the car has just left. V V Vhile a car is in block B it isimpossible for a car in block B to throw contact bar A in blOClLB to the left, as the circuit just described fromblock B to niagnet22 in block B has'less resistance-therein than the circuit in Block'B to magnet 5 which would be closed by'a car in block 13*. This condition holds true even though the circuit through the car be broken in any manner as by the trolley T being off its contactor W or the wheels of the car off the track, for the holding circuit ofmagnet 22 (block 13') is maintainedby the position at the left of contact bar-A (block B and contact bar A can be movedflto the right electrically (block B?) to open the holding circuit of magnet 22 (block B only by a car entering a block ahead (block B of the block containing said contact bar A (block B in other words, contact bar A in block B cannot be moved to the :left as the first step inlivening that. block until contact bar in block B has been moved to the right, and the only manner in which contact bar A in block B can be moved to the right electrically is by the car in that block entering EllQ blOCk ahead. (block B and performing its electrical function in the block it hasjust left (block B aAfter block B thus has been deadened, and not until then, a circuit is closed through magnet 9 in block Bf (starting from block 13) through wires 1, 51, switch p0ints19 wire 6, switch points 22?,wires 7, 13, 12. 55, switch points 5, wire 56, and through magnet 9 to ground. This lifts contact bar B in block B thereby closing cause to.

tection-if the line switch point 9 which forms part of the car operating circuit from feed wire F to trolley wire W. The complete closing of the car operating circuit is accomplished by energizing magnet 90 in block B by a circuit (starting from block B closed through wires 1, 51, switch points 90 wire 5%, switch 7 points 22 wires 12, 13, 11, switch points 5*,

wire 53, and through magnet 90 to ground. Magnet 90 cannot be energized, however, unless block B 15 dead,=for if a car was in block B contact bar A'in said block would be atthe left, fthereby'openingsaid circuit at switch points 22*, The energizing of magnet 90 in block B lifts contact bar C, and bothcontactbars B and vC now being lifted a circuit is closed in block B' suiii- 'cient to operate the car through wire 1, switch points 9, wire 3, switch points 90, W1I'6.4, vtrolley wire. Qtrolley T, and

throughthe car to ground. I

Perfect protection thus is afforded. 'A

, car in block B cannot proceed while a car is in block B as the car operating circuit 'in blockB cannot be closed, and the car in bloclrB cannot proceed while the car is in block B as the car operating circuit in block B cannotbe closed. In other words,

the car operating circuit in each block is closed through circuit closed by switch po1nts 9 and 90 these switch points can not be closed unless magnets 9 and 90 are energized, magnet 9 cannotbe energized unless the block behindisdead, anclinagiiet 90 cannot be energizedv unless the block ahead is dead;

' When the car is in 131051513 the signals (L at night or if foggy, or. S by day, or both if desired), in that block and'the signals (L or S or both) in the block behind lare. maintained at danger by gravity in the manner described hereinafter.

If a car. approaching block B shoulddisregardthe danger, sig'naland pass into the block, it would be unable to proceed, as the circuit-through magnet 227mm block 13 carries a larger current thansaid car would 7 pass through; magnet 5 by closing the circuit therethrough, and the car would stop itself and not the car .in block B Should magnet 22-. inblock B be out of order so that the circuit closed by a car in said block through magnet 5 caused said magnetto pull contact bar A to the left, both cars would beunable to proceed. The car operating circuit in block B would re main open at- 90?.and. the. car operating circuit in block B? wouldbe-opened at-Q.

The apparatusiis designed to afford prowires are broken, grounded or crossed, It has been shown above in detail, that when a car enters a block, as block B ma'gnet- ,5 in that block is energized and contact bar A pulled to-the' left. This closes a circuit through line wire 29 -20 to energize magnet 22 in the block behind (block 13*) which pulls contact bar A in said block to the right. This closes switch point 22 (block 13*) in a circuit through line wires 1812 to magnet 9 (block 13 which closes one of the switch points (9) in the car operating circuit in said block (block B The other switch point (90) in said car operating circuit (block B is closed by energizing magnet 90 (block B by a circuit from the block ahead (block B through line wires 1213. It thus is evident that if either line wires 20-29 or 12-18 are broken or grounded, or if they are crossed, the cars cannot proceed and are protected.

If, for example, line wire 2029 is broken and a car enters an unoccupied block, magnet 22 in the block behind cannot be energized owing to the broken line wire, and the car cannot proceed. Neither can a car entering the block behind proceed as the presence of a car in the block ahead has caused contact bar A in said block ahead to be pulled to the left, and switch point 90 in the car operating circuit of said block behind cannot be closed. If a car already is proceeding in a block, as block 13*, (in which case block B must be unoccupied) and a car enters block 13*, both cars will be stopped, as owing to the broken line wire, the presence of a car in block 13 will pull contact bar 5 in said block 13 to the left. This opens the circuit to magnet 9 (block B thereby opening switch points 9 (block B in the car operating circuit of said block. Switch point 90 (block B in the car operating circuit of said block B cannot be closed, owing to the presence of a car in block B as the contact bar A in said block B would be at the left. If line wire 2029 grounds, the result will be the same, as magnet 22 in the block behind cannot be energized. If the ground is complete, fuse 14: in the block ahead of magnet 22 will be blown.

If line wire 1213 is broken, and a car enters an unoccupied block, magnet 9 in said block cannotbe energized from the block behind, owing to said broken line wire; and magnet 90 cannot be energized from the block ahead, owing to said broken line wire;

either of which prevents the car from proceeding. Neither can a car entering the block behind proceed, as switch point 90 in the car operating circuit of the block behind cannot be closed. If a car already is proceedlng 111 a block, as block B ,(1n which case block B must be unoccupied), and a car enters the block behind (block B both cars will be stopped, as owing to broken line wires 1213, the car operating circuit (block B will be opened at switch points 9" and 90 and switch point 90 (block B) cannot be closed in the car operating circuit (block 13*). If line Wire 1218 grounds, the recannot be energized. If the ground is complete, the fuse in wire 51 will be blown.

If line wires 1213 and 20*29 cross, and a car enters an unoccupied block, magnet 22 will be so strongly energized by the current fed from line wire 12-13 to line wire 2029, that it will not be possible for magnet 5 to pull contact bar A to the left. This cross also causes the signal to go to danger. If the block is occupied, not enough current will be fed to magnet 22 to cause it to pull over contact bar A, as, for example, it requires half an ampere and the amount fed from this cross under these conditions would be from one sixteenth to one eighth of an ampere, according to the arrangement of the resistance, and contact bar A could not be pulled to the right electrically.

The signals are operated by a circuit closed through switch points 28 and 28 by contact bar D which is controlled by magnet (block B by a circuit closed through wires l,

10, 42 switch point 28 wire 43, and through the signal to ground. That is, when magnet 28 is energized, the signal is set at clear, and when magnet 28 is deenergized, the signal is set at danger. The circu t for energizing magnet 28 is closed (blocks B and B by a circuit through wire 1, fuse 14;, wires 15, 25, switch points 22, wire 26, magnet 28, wire 59, where it splits, one half going to ground through wire 23, switch points 30 and through resistance 24 to ground, and. the other half going through wires 20, 29, contact bar H, and through resistance 31 to ground. Magnet 28 is deenergized when the block which contains it, or a block ahead, is occupied by a car. When the same block is occupied by a car, the circuit is broken at switch points 22, and when the block ahead. is occupied by a car, the magnet is denergized by reason of the fact that magnet 22 is of much lower resistance than magnet 28 and is in parallel. with magnet 28 on the same resistance.

In order that a car may proceed in case any accident or derangement occurs, emergency operation is provided for in accord ance with fixed trafiic rules. Under these rules, after waiting the prescribed time for current, the motorman opens the door of the signal box, thereby breaking a seal, for which he is required to render a report. Three handles of any type or construction are provided in the box, which are positively interlocked in any desired manner, to insure their operation in the following order: The operation of the first handle 99 throws contact bar A to the left, which should result in placing the parts inthe same position as though operated by the car circuit in the ordinary manner. The next handle inclicated at 100 then must-be operated, which releases'contactbar' E in the block behind, it it has been raised'by emergency handle 101, in the manner described hereinafter. If the car is still unable to get current, emergency handle 101 is pushed up, which will raise contact bars B and C, thereby closing switch points 9 and'90 of the car operating circuit. Handle 101 will be maintainedin position by the energizing of magnet. 30 by a circuit through wire 1, fuse 14E, Wires 15, 16, magnet 30, wire 37, switch points 30, wires 38, 20, 29, contact bar H, and through resistance 31 to ground. The car is protected in the rear owing to the position of contact bar A in this block, and can proceed under caution. Upon reaching the block ahead, release handle1 100 must be operated, which" will open the circuit energizing magnet 30, and contact bar E of the block to the rear of said block will return to normal position, as emergency handle 101 is so interlocked with emergency handle 100 in the manner stated above that handle 100 must be raised bet'ore handle 101 can be raised. The car will not be able to proceed until the block behind thus has been returned to normal condition. If the line wires are down, emergency handle 101 will not stay up because the circuit to magnet 30 is completed along line wire 2029, in which case a maintainer (or repairman) can open an inner boX, and after pushing up release handle 101, tasten it in position by the small mechanicallock 102, so that the cars can operate until the trouble is remedied. Under thislast condition, it will be necessary to operate the block behind by emergency handle 101 and release it by handle 100 when the block is reached in which emergency handle 101 is held up mechanically. By the use of this emergency handle cars never can be tied up by lack of power, but can be sent ahead under proper protection, it being necessary only that a man get off at each signal box until the trouble has been remedied.

Many other-embodiments of my invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the scope thereof or from the scope of my claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a block system for electric railways, a feed wire,a contactor divided into insulated sections, connections between said feed wire and said insulated sections normally interrupting the fiow of motor operating current, and electrical means to prevent moto-r-operating current flowing from said teed wire to an occupied section until the section ahead of said occupied section first has been de'nergized.

In a block system for electric railways, a feed wire, a contactor divlded into insu- I lated sections, connections betweensaid teed wire and said insulated sections,'means normally preventing 'motor-operating current flowing-from saiditeed wire to an occupied section, and inc-ans for permitting such flow normally operable only when the-sec- ,it-ion ahead of said occupied section has been lated sections, connections between said teed wire and said insulated sections comprising line wires, and meansto prevent motor-operating current flowing-from said teed wire to an occupied section when any of said line wires is grounded.

In a block system for electric railways, a feed wire, a contactor divided into insulated sections, connections between said feed wire and said insulated sections comprising line wires, and means-to prevent motor-operating currentfiowing from said teed wire to an occupied section when any of said line wires are; crossed.

6. In a block system for electric railways, a feed wire,-a contactor divided into insulated sections, connections between said feed wire and said insulated sections, electrical. means to -permit current to flow from said teed wire to .an occupied section when the section behind first has been deenergized and means to deenergize said section, and

means to prevent current flowing from said feed wire to both said sections i-t'the means to deenergize the'section behind said occupied section becomes deranged and acar enters said unoccupied-"section. 1 5 7 In a block system for-electric railways, a feed wire, a oontactordivided into insulated sections, connections between said feed wire and said insulated sections, resistance means in said connections normally preventing suflicient= current flowing from said feed wire to a section to operate-a car but permitting 'suflicient current to flow to operate means to prevent full motor-operating current flowing from said teed wire to the section behind the first-named section.

8. In a block-system for electric-railways, a feed wire, a contactor divided into insulated sections, connections between said feed wire andsaid insulated sections, resistance means in said connections normally preventing sufficient current'tooperate a car'flowing from said feed-wire to-a section, but

permitting sufficient current to flow to operate means to prevent full motor-operating current flowing from said feed wire to the section ahead of the first named section.

9. In a block system for electric railways, a feed wire, a contactor divided into insulated sections, connections between said feed wire and said insulated sections, resistance means in said connections normally preventing sufficient current to operate a car flowing from said feed wire to a section but permitting sufficient current to flow to operate means to prevent full motor-operating current flowing from said feed wire to the section behind and the section ahead of the first named section.

10. In a block system for electric railways, a feed wire, a contactor divided into insulated sections, connections comprising wires between said feed wire and said insulated sections, means to prevent motor-operating current flowing from said feed wire to an occupied section until the section behind and the section ahead of said occupied section have been deenergized, and means to permit full motor current to flow through said feed wire to an occupied section when said section ahead and said section behind are dee'nergized without any resistance to said flow other than its own wires.

11. In a. block system for electric railways, a feed wire, a contactor divided into insulated sections, connections between said feed wire and said insulated sectiogs, electrical means to prevent motor-operating current flowing from said feed wire to an occupied section, means to deenergize the section ahead of said occupied section, means to enable said occupied section to ob tain motor-operating current from said feed wire by the operation of the two means previously named, and manually-operated means in addition to said previous means to energize said section in case said previous means fail to operate.

12. In a block system for electric railways, a feed wire, a contactor divided into insulated sections, connections between said feed wire and said insulated sections, and electrical means to prevent motor-operating current flowing from said feed wire to an occupied section, means to deenergize the section ahead of said occupied section, and means to enable said occupied section to obtain motor-operating current from said feed wire by the operation of the two means previously named comprising two switches, means to close one of said switches when the section behind has been denergized and means to close the other of said switches when said section ahead has been deenergized. wherby full motor-operating current will flow from said feed wire to said occupied section.

13. In a block signal ystem, a series of blocks each having a feeding lead, and electromagnetic switches normally interrupting clrcult through sald lead, nd means whereby the closing of said switches in one block will and means whereby the movement of av switch in one block to closed position functions to effect a break in the operating circuit. of the switch of an adjacent block.

16. In a block system for electric railways, a series of blocks each having afeeding lead and a circuit interrupter normally breaking circuit therethr'ough, operating circuits for each interrupter having a break adapted to be bridged by the circuit interrupter of an adjacent block when the latter interrupter is in open position.

17 In a block signaling system, a series of blocks each having a main feeder, a relay normally interrupting the feeder circuit and a contact bar movable to make and break the relay circuit, means for moving the contact bar to close the break in the relay circuit of a block nd for moving the contact bar of an adjacent block to break its corresponding relay circuit, upon the entrance of a car into said first-mentioned block.

18. In a block signaling system, a series of blocks each having a feeding lead with an electromagnetic circuit interrupter interposed therein, and a circuit maker and breaker included in each block movable to energize the circuit interrupter of the corresponding block and to dee'nergize the circuit interrupter of an adjacent block.

19. In a block signaling svstem, a series of blocks each having a feeding lead with an electromagnetic circuit interrupter interposed therein, and a circuit maker and breaker included in each block movable to energize the circuit interrupter of the corresponding block and to deenergize a circuit interrupter in both adjacent blocks.

20. In a block signaling system, a block having a feeding lead with a circuit interrupter interposed therein, automatic means for closing said interrupter upon the occupation of the block by a car, manual means to perform the same function, and a device interlocked with said manual means whereby the preceding block must be de'einergized before the interrupter can be manually moved to closed position.

21. 11; a block ignaling system,a block having a'feeding lead With a circuit interrupterinterposed therein, automatic means for closing said interrupter upon the ccupation of the block by a car, manual means to perform the same function, and a device interlocked'with said manual means whereby the preceding and succeeding block must-be deenergized before the interrupter can be manually movedto closed position.

22. In'a block signaling system, .a block having a feeding lead With a circuit-interru-pter interposed therein, and manual means for closing said circuit interrupteroperable only When an adjacent \block is deenergized. 23.x'In a block signaling system, a block having a feeding" lead with a circuitvinterruptei interposedthe'rein, and manual means for; closing l gaid circuit interrupter Tflelftbld only when both adjacent blocks are de'eTnergized.

'24:." In a block signaling system, automatic means to energizea block When occupied 'by a car and-to denergizean adjacent block and supplementary manual operating clevices adapted-to perform the same operations in case said 'automaticimeans should fail to operate. x

25. In combination, an automatic block signaling system, and supplementary manually operable actuating devices for said system adapted to be moved to perform the same'operations as their corresponding automatic elements. 7

26.1111 combination, an automatic block ignaling system, and supplementary manuailyioperable actuating devices for said system so interlocked asto necessitate their operation :in'the order of the operation of the corresponding automatic elements.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set 'my hand.

v ROY V. COLLINS.

Witnesses: y LJBRODERIGK,

V. G. LLOYD.

00 m: vthiypatent may be obtained for iive cents each, by addressing the Commissioner-o! intents,

Washington, D. 0. 

